MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING ONE OR MORE ACTIVE STRANDS

• US 20110009806A1
• Filed: 07/10/2009
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Melsheimer, Jeffry S., Butler, Bradley K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,568,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/09191 made of twisted wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/09 Guide wires

Abstract

The present embodiments provide an elongate medical device comprising a plurality of strands twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis. A first strand of the plurality of strands is moveable with respect to at least a second strand of the plurality of strands. Actuation of the one or more strands may perform a medical function or actuate an associated distal component. A working lumen of the tubular member may remain unobstructed for delivery of medical components or fluids.

Claims

1. Apparatus suitable for use in a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

an elongate medical device for introduction into a patient, the elongate medical device comprising a plurality of strands each having proximal and distal regions, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis; and

wherein a first strand of the plurality of strands is moveable with respect to at least a second strand of the plurality of strands.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lumen formed within the plurality of strands and along the longitudinal axis, wherein the lumen is sized for the delivery of at least one medical component, and wherein the lumen remains unobstructed during movement of the first strand.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a second strand is coupled to the first strand to form a first group of strands that move in unison with each other;

and

wherein at least two additional strands are coupled together to form a second group of strands that move in unison with each other,

wherein the first group of strands is movable with respect to the second group of strands.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first group of strands is disposed in a circumferentially alternating arrangement with the second group of strands such that no two strands of the first group of strands are adjacent to one another and no two strands of the second group of strands are adjacent to one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a cutting device, wherein a first segment of the cutting device is coupled to the first group of strands and a second segment of the cutting device is coupled to the second group of strands.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first coupling assembly operatively coupled to at least the first strand; and

a second coupling assembly operatively coupled to at least a second strand,

wherein the first and second coupling assemblies may be independently engaged to selectively actuate the first and second strands, respectively.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first strand comprises an integral fiber optic component.

8. A method for treating a medical condition at a target site, the method comprising:

providing an elongate medical device for introduction into a patient, the elongate medical device comprising a plurality of strands, each having proximal and distal regions, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis;

delivering the apparatus to the target site; and

actuating at least a first strand of the plurality of strands, such that the first strand moves with respect to at least a second strand of the plurality of strands.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

forming a lumen within the plurality of strands and along the longitudinal axis; and

delivering at least one medical component through the lumen to the target site, wherein the lumen remains unobstructed during movement of the first strand.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

coupling a second strand to the first strand to form a first group of strands that move in unison with each other; and

coupling at least two additional strands together to form a second group of strands that move in unison with each other,

wherein the first group of strands is movable with respect to the second group of strands.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising disposing the first group of strands in a circumferentially alternating arrangement with the second group of strands such that no two strands of the first group of strands are adjacent to one another and no two strands of the second group of strands are adjacent to one another.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising coupling a first segment of a cutting device to the first group of strands and coupling a second segment of the cutting device to the second group of strands.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the first strand comprises an integral fiber optic component, and wherein actuating the first strand effects a viewing angle of the fiber optic component.

14. Apparatus suitable for use in a medical procedure, the apparatus comprising:

an elongate medical device for introduction into a patient, the elongate medical device comprising a plurality of strands, each having proximal and distal regions, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis;

a first group of strands comprising at least two of the plurality of strands, wherein the first group of strands is coupled together to move in unison with each other; and

a second group of strands comprising at least two of the plurality of strands, wherein the second group of strands is coupled together to move in unison with each other,

wherein the first group of strands is movable with respect to the second group of strands.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a lumen formed within the plurality of strands and along the longitudinal axis, wherein the lumen is sized for the delivery of at least one medical component.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first group of strands is disposed in a circumferentially alternating arrangement with the second group of strands such that no two second group of strands are adjacent to one another.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

a first coupling assembly operatively coupling each strand of the first group of strands together; and

a second coupling assembly operatively coupling each strand of the second group of strands together,

wherein the first and second coupling assemblies may be independently engaged to selectively actuate the first and second group of strands, respectively.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a cutting element, wherein a first segment of the cutting device is coupled to the first group of strands and a second segment of the cutting device is coupled to the second group of strands.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein at least one of the strands comprises an integral fiber optic component.

20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each strand of the first group of strands comprises a larger cross-sectional diameter than each strand of the second group of strands.